By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 14 January 2024
Edit Thread

‘Civilian population in Gaza have suffered enough’: Red Cross chief

International Federation of the Red Cross Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain has made the latest appeal for humanitarian reprieve for the people of Gaza.

In Gaza, the health care system is on the brink of collapse. In any conflict or crisis, access to health care is a question of life or death,” he posted on X. “Civilian population in Gaza have suffered enough, and healthcare is one of the last remaining beacons of hope. It’s a humanitarian and moral imperative to ensure the people of Gaza can access health care,” he wrote.

The United Nations has said Israeli denials of access for humanitarian missions have increased since the beginning of the year. Only about 21 percent of planned humanitarian deliveries to northern Gaza have reached their destinations in the first weeks of the year.

‘Everything must be done’ to end Gaza fighting: WHO chief

In an impassioned appeal marking 100 days of war in Gaza, WHO chief Tedros decried “over 300 attacks on health and continuous lack of safe access to critical aid” in the enclave. He noted that only 15 hospitals remain operational but are only able to provide limited services.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers are “repeatedly stymied from providing the aid so critically needed”. “People in Gaza are living in hell. Nowhere is safe. 100 days, and counting, of incessant insecurity and fear is beyond words,” he wrote on X. “Everything must be done to end the violence to prevent more needless death and injury.”



Hamas releases video of captives in Gaza

The video showed three captives appealing to their government to stop the offensive. “Tomorrow, we will inform you of their fate,” the video said, without giving further details. The latest video comes shortly after a Hamas official said the group had lost contact with some captives amid Israel’s bombardment.

‘Fate of many captives unknown’: More from Abu Obeida

The spokesman for Hamas’s Qassam Brigades says the fate of many of the Israeli captives has become “unknown in recent weeks”. “A lot of them have most likely been killed because of the Israeli bombardment,” Abu Obeida said. “The rest are in danger and the enemy bears responsibility for their fate,” he added.

Israeli war cabinet member says time to stop ‘lying to ourselves’: Report

Israel’s Channel 12 as well as other Israeli media outlets have reported that Gadi Eisenkot told the rest of the war cabinet it was time for Israel to change tack in its efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives held in Gaza.

“We have to stop lying to ourselves, to show courage, and to lead to a large deal that will bring home the hostages,” Eisenkot, whose son and nephew died fighting in Gaza, said. “Your time is running out and each day that passes endangers their lives.”

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant disagreed, however, saying that only “military pressure” would bring back the captives.

Biden says still working to negotiate captive release

In a statement marking 100 days of war in Gaza, Biden said it is a “devastating and tragic milestone” for those still held captive in Gaza. He said the US will continue to try to negotiate their release, even as talks have stalled since a seven-day pause in fighting last week. Earlier today, Hamas said it had lost contact with several captives amid the ongoing bombardment.

“I will never forget the grief and the suffering I have heard in my meetings with the families of the American hostages. No one should have to endure even one day of what they have gone through, much less 100,” Biden said in a statement, which did not mention the nearly 24,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. “On this terrible day, I again reaffirm my pledge to all the hostages and their families – we are with you. We will never stop working to bring Americans home,” he said.

US ‘will not rest’ until remaining hostages freed: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has joined calls for the release of the remaining captives held in Gaza on the 100th day since they were taken by Hamas. “100 days of captivity in Gaza is far too long,” Blinken said in a post on X. “The United States will not rest until all remaining hostages, including six Americans, are reunited with their loved ones,” he added.




At this point it's pretty much clear that the hostages are just used as an excuse to keep the destruction going. It's also Israel's main 'defense' for the genocide case at the ICJ. Military pressure hasn't worked, it only got more hostages killed, a ceasefire has worked. I don't believe Netanyahu is really interested in freeing the hostages, apart from that he desperately needs a 'win'. Blaming Hamas of hiding behind civilians while Netanyahu and Biden are hiding behind the hostages to keep the genocidal war going.